When We Say Kashmir, We Also Mean PoK; Would Give Our Life For It: HM Shah In Lok Sabha

Kashmiri Pandits, displaced from the Valley in the 1990s, also hailed the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution as a "historic event" and hoped it would pave the way for their return to homeland with honour and dignity.

New Delhi: After Rajya Sabha, the resolution which scraps Article 370 and the special privileges given to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in Lok Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah today. Soon after it is passed in Lok Sabha, Kashmir will become just like other states in the country. The government is not likely to face any problem while passing the bill in the lower house as they have a majority in Lok Sabha. As soon as Home Minister Amit Shah presented in Lok Sabha, opposition Congress accused the government of "breaking law", to which Shah questioned him and sought explanation as to how has government broken law. This was followed by ruckus in the lower house as Congress further questioned the government on its 'Kashmir Niti'. "Over night Kashmir was divided into two parts" Congress said. Further responding on Congress, HM Amit Shah said "Jammu and Kashmir was always an integral part of India, therefore no one can stop us from making laws on Jammu and Kashmir". "We would give our life for Kashmir" HM said. Shah further made a major statement and said "When I say Kashmir, I also mean PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir)" and Aksai Chin.

Bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into 2 UTs:

The government's resolution will lead to bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir division and Ladakh. Making the announcement in Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the UT in Ladakh will have no legislature like Chandigarh while the other UT of Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature like Delhi and Puducherry. After this bifurcation, the laws that apply in the rest of the nation will now apply in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

What will change in J&K after abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A?

• A citizen of any part of the country can buy land there i.e. can settle there
• Any citizen of the country can become a permanent citizen of Jammu and Kashmir
• To become a permanent citizen means that he will be able to invest, do business.
• One can get a government job in Jammu and Kashmir.
• J&K will not have a separate flag
• Centre will have right on land and police power in J&K
• A woman who marries a man from a different state will start getting a share in immovable assets
• It will politically give chance to all parties to rule the state and allow its development.
• The abrogation of the contentious articles would now put J&K at par with the likes of Delhi and Puducherry.
• Ladakh will no longer be a part or be associated with J&K and will be like Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu
• Since Ladakh is now a separate Union Territory, it won't have any legislature.

What did Kashmiri Pandits say?

Kashmiri Pandits, displaced from the Valley in the 1990s, also hailed the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution as a "historic event" and hoped it would pave the way for their return to homeland with honour and dignity.

Governor reviews security situation:

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday night reviewed the security situation and emphasised the need for constant alertness and preparedness to deal with any eventuality. According to a Raj Bhawan spokesperson, the government held a meeting with top officials and reviewed the prevailing security and law and order scenario in the state. The governor's advisors K Vijay Kumar, K K Sharma, K Skandan and Farooq Khan, and chief secretary BVR Subrahmanyam attended the meeting, he added. Kumar, Skandan and Khan, who returned to Srinagar from Jammu after taking stock of essential services, briefed the governor about the adequacy of essential supplies and delivery of various public services to the people, including electricity, water supply and health care services.

Shah moves resolution:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved a resolution in Rajya Sabha to abolish Article 370 of the Constitution, which accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, after the president issued a notification, and introduced a Bill to divide the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.